Chaeles w



v J'ne 19, 1.923. 1,459,403

C. W. KECKLER ET AL.

SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 2 2 1919 l2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l, i* g M@rammed Patented June 19, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES W. KECKLER, OF NEWARK, AND WALTER B. STRICKLER, OF EAST ORANGE,

NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNORS TO XVESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY INCORPORATED, OF NEWYORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SIGNALING SYSTEM.

Application led September 22, 1919.

T 0 all w hom t may concern.'

Be it known that we, CHARLES W. Knorr- Lnn, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex, State of New Jersey,and VALTER B. STRICKLER, a citizen of the United States, residing atEast Orange, in the county of Essex, State of New Jersey, respectively,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signaling Systems,of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

This invention relates to signaling systems, but more particularly tosuch systems whereby indications may be automatically transmitted fromone point to another.

An object of the invention is the provision of means whereby theposition of a plurality of switches located at one station may be'automa tically indicated at a distant station.

In accordancel with a feature of the invention, means are provided atthe switching and indicating stations, whereby a signaling device at theindicating station will be operated to indicate the open or closedposition of power switches located at the switching station.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, means are providedat the switching station, whereby an automatic switch at the indicatingstation will be operated in s vnchronisinwith the one at the switchingstation, for controlling the operation of a signaling device thereat, togive a distinctive signal.

In accordance with a further feature o'f the invention, means areprovided at the indicating station, and so arranged that after theautomatic switches are returned to normal subsequent to having set up anindication, the false operation of the automatic switch at theindicating station is prevented upon the opening` and closing of thecircuit connecting the two stations.

It is thought that a more definite understanding of the invention willbe had from the following description considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 shows the apparatus located atthe switching station, and Fig. 2 shows that located at the indicatingstation.

Referring now to the particular embodiments of the invention, in Fig. 1there is shown a power switch 4, a plurality of which'are employed, butfor the sake of Serial No. 325,403.

it cooperates. These contacts are designed l to be only momentarilyclosed to permit the mechanism common to a plurality of switches tooperate when another switch has been actuated. The power switches aremerely provided with an additional contact so that, upon the opening orclosing of these switches, a circuit will be momentarily completedthrough the respective contacts for effecting the operation of theswitching mechanism. In the particular installation for which thissystem was designed, the power switches are motor driven, but the systemis obviously also equally applicable to installations wherein the powerswitches are manually operated. Associated with each switch is a numberof relays which function so as to cause the operation of other apparatuslocated at the same station for controlling the operation of a signalingdevice at the distant station. The apparatus shown in the dottedrectangle 7 is individual to each of the switches.

The other apparatus shown in Fig. l is common to a plurality of suchswitches as shown inthe rectangle 7, and includes an interrupter 8 forcontrolling the operation of the selector switch 9, together with aplurality of relays, the function of which will be more clearlydescribed in the description which is to follow. The selector switch 9is of the two level type, one of which has its terminals individuallyallotted to the contacts engaged in the open position of the switches1i, and the other level has its terminals connected with the contactsengaged in the closed position of the switches il.

In Fig. 2 there is shown the apparatus at the indicating station andwhich may be connected with that at the switching station by a pair ofwires, or by a single wire if a` ground connection is used as oneconductor. A selector switch 10 is also employed at the indicatingStation which is adapted and arranged to be operated in synchronism withthe one shown in Fig. l. The apparatus Cil `oi these lamps is lighted atall times thereby indicating whether the power switch to which they areindividual is open or closed, since lamp 13 is lighted in the openposition of the switch 4, while the lamp 14 is lighted when the switch 4is in either of the closed positions. A relay 44 is employed at n theindicating station which is energized upon the restoration of the switch10 there at to normal, for opening the line connecting the two stations.This prevents the operation of the relay 32 due to the capacitance ofthe line and thereby prevents the accidental re-operation` of theselector switch 10. Vhile a plurality of batteries have been shown forconvenience, it is to be understood that in actual practice a singlebattery could or would be employed.

The operationv of the apparatus used in carrying out this invention isas follows: Let it be assumed that the power switch 4 is in its closedposition, thereby momentarily engaging contact 6. Such. engagement es-'tablishes an energizing circuit for relays 15, 16 and 17, and may betraced from battery A, through a contact of the power .switch 4, contact6, left-hand winding of relay 15, contact of relay 18, and the windingsof relays 16 and 17 in series, to ground. Relay 15, in operating,establishes a locking circuit for itself extending from battery B.through the right-hand normal Contact ot relay 19, left-hand winding oirelay 15, contact of relay 18, and the windings oi? relays 16 and 17 inseries, to ground. Relays 16 and 17 are thereupon operated and inclosing their contacts cause the operation of relay 20 over a circuitextending from battery C, through the contacts of relays 16 and 17 inmultiple, winding of relay 20, alternate contacts of relays 21 and 22 inparallel and the normal contact of relay 23, to ground.` rIhe relays 21and 22 have their windings normally in bridge of the open contacts ofthe interrupter 8, so that under normal conditions they are continuouslyoperated. The energizing circuit for these relays may be traced frombattery 30, through the winding of relay 32 at thel indicating station,left-hand normal contact of relay 44, see Fig. 2, windings of relays 21and 22 in series, winding of relay 31, see Fig. 1 and `the nter'rupter8. Should the line at any time become open, short-circuited or a fuseblow at the indicating station,` relay 21A and 22 will release theirarmatures. owever, if any switches have been actuated during this periodthe relays individual thereto will be energized, but due to the opencontacts of relays 21 and 22, the remainder of the system remainsinoperative until the operating circuit for the relays 21 and 22 isagain closed. An energizing circuit for relay 24 extends rom battery D,through the left-hand alternate contact of relay 20, and the winding ofrelay 24, to ground. A circuit including the windings of relay 25 isestablished upon the operation of relay 24 which extends from battery E,through the two windings of relay 25, and the contact of relay 24, toground. The operation of relays 16 andV 17 also causes the energizationof relay 34, the energizing circuit of which may be traced from batteryC, through the alternate contacts of relaysI 16 and 17in multiple,winding of relay 34, and the contact of relay 23, to ground. Thewindings of relays 16 and. 17 are short-circuited upon the closure ofthe left-hand contact of relay 34, and 'thereupon release theirarmatures. Relays 34 and 20 are, however, maintained operated the firstover a circuit extending from battery F, through the right-hand contactand winding of relay 34 and the contact of relay 23, to ground; thesecond over a circuit extending from battery F, through the right-handcontact of relay 34, winding of relay 20, contacts of relays 21 .lull

and 22 in multiple, and the contact of relay rsegment so as to preventthe false operation of relay 32. The release magnet 28 is, however,operated upon the energization of relay 2O over a circuit extending frombattery D, through the left-hand alternate contact ot relay 26, and thewinding of release magnet 28, to ground. The energization of releasemagnet 28 thereby attracts its armature which allows the contact maker29 to be revolved under the power of the motor 27.

The interrupter 8, in passing over its contacts, makes and breaks acircuit which includes a 125 volt current supply 30, this circuitincluding the windings of marginal relays 31 and 32 and effecting theiralternate operation and release during the actuation of the interrupter8. These relays being in series open and close theirY contacts correlll)spondingly in response to the impulses caused by theinterrupter 8 inpassing over its contacts.` The energization of relay 31 causes theoperation of slow-release relay 36 over a circuit extending from battery(fr, through the contact of relay 31, and the winding of relay 32, toground. Relay 36, in operating, causes the energization ofthe releasemagnet '33 over a circuit extending from battery H, through vthe contactof relay 36, and thewinding of release magnet 33, to ground. Incase theline should'be opened or short-circuited during the stepping period,relay 31 will'be released thereby causing the release of relay'36. Relay36 will thereby cause the deenergization of the release magnet 33 of theselector and lrestore the selector switch 9 to normal. `The steppingmagnet 35 is also controlled through the contacts of relay 31, theenergizing circuitof this magnet extending from battery G, through theContact ofrelay 31, and the winding of the stepping magnet 35 of theselector, to ground. Relay 32 (see F ig. 2) in opening and closing itscontact,`due to the impulses of current transmitted over the line fromrthe interrupter 8, effects corresponding changes in a circuit extendingfrom vbattery I, through the normal Contact of relay 48, winding ofstepping magnet 58, contact of relay 32, andthe right-hand contact ofrelay 44, to ground. The stepping magnet 58 is thereupon operated forstepping the selector switch, corresponding to the operation of relay32. Since relays 31 and 32 are initially in'the same circuit, they varecorrespondingly actuated and thereby cause the two switches l 9 land 10Vto step in synchronism.

` The selector switches 9 and 10 advance, step by'step until theselector switch' 9 completes a circuit with contact No. 100 which isassociated with the apparatus individual to the power switch 4. Acircuit is thereupon established extending from lbattery d, through thewinding of relay 18, left-hand normal contact of relay 19, right-handalternate contact and wi'ndingof relay 15, contact No. 100 on the lowerlevel of the seing,` opens at its contact the energizing circuit ofrelays 2O `and 34 which are thereupon released. The releasel of relay 20causes the deenergization of relay 24 which in turn causes the releaseof relay 25. Relay 40, in operating, opens at its contact the energizingcircuit of relay 31, which is released, cutting -out the interrupter 8from the loop circuit and establishing another loopcircuitA through itsalternate contact which includes circuit causes the operation of relays41 and 42, the energizing circuit thereof extending from one side ofbattery 30, through the lwinding of relay 32, left-hand normal contactof relay 44, contact of relay 37, the windings of relays 42 and 41 inseries, and thel alternate contact of relay 40, to the other side ofthis battery. Relay 45 is. operated upon the energizati'on of relays 41and 42 over a circuitextending from batteryL, through the contacts ofrelays 41 and 42 in multiple, right-hand alternate contact of relay 38,and the winding of relay 45, to ground. The instant that selector switch9 moves from its normal position, an energizing circuit for relay 46 isestablished extending from battery M, through the winding of relay 46and the Contact 47, which is closed as soon as selector switch 9 movesfrom its normal position, to ground. Au energizing circuit for relay 39is established upon the operation of relays 45 4and 46, extending frombattery N, through the contact of relay 46, winding of relay 39, and thecontact andl winding of relay 45, to ground. The operation of relay 39is, however, prevented'due to the previous operation of relays 41 and42, which also connects a source of battery supply to the winding ofrelay 39 upon the operation of relay 45, the circuit of which may betraced from battery, through the contacts of-relays 41 and 42fi'nmultiple, right-hand contact of relay 38, Contact of relay 45, to thewinding of relay 39. In practice a common source of battery supply isused so that a low resistance path is placed around the winding of relay39 when relays 41, 42 and 46 are operated, thereby diverting sufcientcurrent so as to prevent its operation. It is, therefore, evident thatrelay 39 is prevented from operating as long'as relays 41 and 42 areoperated,tdue to the short circuit placed around the winding of thisrelay.

The operation of relay 32 in closing its conta-et completes thefollowing circuit extending from battery I, through the normal Contactof relay 48, the windings of relays 49 and 50 in parallel, contact ofrelay 32,

and the right-hand contact of relay 44, to ground. Relay 50 is of thefast-to-operate and slow-toirelease type, and accordinglyv operates inresponse to the first impulse, due Vto--the'operation of relay y32,whiley relay -49 is slow-acting vanddoes not operate until relay 32 isoperated for an appreciable length of time. The new loop circuit pro`vided upon the;v operationA ofY relay 40,'at the.. sending stationmaintains relay 32 continuously energized, thereby causing the operationof` relay 49. When relay 40 operates, relay 32 holds up and relay 49 isthereby energized and applies negative battery O to its contacts,vwindings of relays 51 and 52, switch arm and -contact 10() of switch10,winding of. polarized relay 12,

`left-hand armature and Contact of relay 54,

resistance 55, and the off-normal contact 56 `'of the selector switch 10to ground.` Relays 51 and 52 and the polarized relay 12 are therebyenergized over the circuit just traced. The Contact 56 is closed as soonas the selector switch` 10 moves from its initial position yso thatrelease magnet 57 is operated as soon as this Contact isv closedy over acircuit extending from battery P through the right-hand contact of relay54,

winding of release magnet 57, and the contact 56 to ground. Relay l2, inoperating,

`removes, a short-circuit from around lamp 14 and .places a shorteircuitaround lamp 13, thereby extinguishinglamp 13 and lighting lamp 14.`Relays 51 and 52, in operating, establish an energizing circuit forrelay 48 vwhich extends from battery Q, through the alternate contactsIof relays 51 and 52 in multiple and the right-hand winding of relay 48to ground'. A locking circuit is established upon the operation of relay48 extending from battery through the alternate contact and left-handwinding of this relay, `right-hand normal contact of relay 59, and

the contact 56 of selector switch 10 to ground.` vThe circuit includingthe winding of relay 54 extends from battery through the alternatecontact of relay 48, winding of relay 54, and the right-.hand contact ofrelay 44 to ground'. The release magnet 57 is deenergized upon theoperation of relay 54 and causes the selector switch 10 to be restoredto normal.

As soon as the selector switch 10 returns to normal, slow-operatingrelay60 is operated over a circuit extending from battery through thealternate cont-act and winding of relay 48, normal contact of relay 59,winding ofrelay 60, .and the right-hand contactuofv relay44 to ground.The operaerating-'opens at 'its left-hand normal contact the energizingcircuit of relays 41 and 42which are momentarily released. In orderthatrelay 32 will not be energized upon the release Qf relay: 44, due toany charge that might, have accumulated n. the r- Spective, conductors,a shunt Circuits Placed about the winding of relay 32. Thus, upon thedeenergization of relay 44, current is prevented from traversing thewinding of this relay, as Contact 68 is completed before contact V69-isv broken. Therefore, any charge which might have accumulated on theconductors extending between the two stations., passes through thisshunt circuit so established, thereby preventing the momentary operationof relay 32 and the subsequent operation of the switch 10 for the givingof a talse indication.

Relay 44, in operating, momentarily opens the linel loop at itsl lefthand contact including the windings of relays 41, and 42 at theswitching station, which arey momentarily released removing theshort-.circuit` from about relay 39, whichy thereupon operates. Theholding circuit for relays 23,40, 38, and 18 is broken upon the`operation of relay 39, causing in turn the releasel of re-l lays 38, 15,and 18,. rI .lhe release of relay 38 first opens at its leftrhandcontact the energizing circuit of the release magnet 33,

which allows the'selector switch 9 to return to normal; second, opensthe original energizing circuit of relay 45 which prevents theshort-circuit from being reestablished around the winding of relay 39when relays -41 and 42 are again operated. Relay 39, in

operating, closes at its alternate contact the energizing circuit ofrelay 37 which extends from battery through the right-hand winding ofrelay 37, alternate Contact of relay 39, and the windings of relays 40and 23 in series to ground. Relays 40 and 2,3 are thereupon maintainedoperated. The operation of relay 37 opens at its contact` theshort-circuit from around the resistance 62 and prevents thekreoperation of relay 32 when relay 44 momentarily opens and closes theloop circuit.l When the selector switch 9-returns to normal, theenergizing circuit for relay 46 is broken, thereby causing the releaseof this relay and the opening of the holding circuit of relays 39 and45. These relays in releasing, cause the release of relays 37, 40 and23.

The operation of thel` system having been traced for the condition whenthe power switch 4 is in its closed position, let it now be assumed thatthe power switch 4 is in its open position. The contact of the powerswitch 4, as shown in the drawing, will thereby be momentarily incontact with contact whieh causes the operation of relays 19, 16, and 17over a circuit ext-ending from Y battery through the Contact of thevpower windings of-A relays 1 6 and 1,7 in series to ground. Theoperation of the remainder of the system is the same as described forthe closed position and the switch indication until the contact armreaches segment No. 100 is identical. The battery being now fed throughthe winding of relay 18, left-hand normal contact ot relay 15,right-hand alternate Contact and winding of relay 19 through segmentNo.` 100 and selector wiper arm on the upper level of the selectorswitch 9, left-hand winding of relay 37,

winding of relay 38, normal contact of relay 39, andthe windings ofrelays and 23 in series to ground. The operation of relay 37 opens theshunt around the resistance 62, and prevents relay 32 from holding upwhen relay 40 operates for establishment ot the loop circuit. The opencontact of relay 32 now causes the release of relay 50, and since theselector switch 10 has been advanced to seize contact 100 in the mannerpreviously described battery will be applied to the winding of relay 12in the opposite direction-to that for the closed position, so that thearmature thereof will remove the shunt circuit from around the lamp 13,and again place the shunt around the lamp 14, causing the eXtinguishmentof the lamp 14-and the lighting of the lamp13 as described for thcclosed position. The energizing circuit for relay 12 extends frombattery through resistance 63, left-hand contact and armature of relay54, winding of polarized relay 12, contact 100 and the switch arm ot theselector switch 10, windings of relays 52 and 51 in series, resistance53 and the back contacts y of relay 5 0 to ground.

- InA cases where several switches have been operated simultaneously insuch sequence that the selector will be behind in transmittingindications, relays 16 and 17 will again be energized the instantcontact 48 is broken and the selector will search out each switch byclearing those connected to the lowest numbered segments first.

Should the line at any time become shortcircuited, relay 32 will operateand remain operated until the short-circuit is removed` The operationotrelay 32 causes the energization of stepping magnet 58 as previouslydescribed to eiiect the operation of the selector switch 10. A circuitis established upon the connection of the arm of the selector switch 10with contact A which extends from battery through the contact ot' relay49, windings of relays 51 and 52 in series, contact arm, and contact Aof selector switch 10, and the right-hand winding of relay'59 to ground.yRelay 59 will operate and open the circuit for relay 60 which opens theenergizing circuit for relay 61. Relay 48 will lock up in the usualmanner and release the selector switch and at the same time establish alocking circuit 'for relay 59, which extends from battery through thealternatewcontact voit' relay `letthand contact and winding of relay 59to ground. Relays 48 and 59 will remain operated under the control otrelay 32 which will not be released until the short-circuit is removedfor restoring the system to norparatus will function in the usualmanner.l

l/Vhat is claimed is:

1. A signaling system comprising a first and a second station, aplurality ot switches located at said rst station, a rotary interrupteroperative upon the actuation or" one ot saidswitches, a loop circuit, anautomatic selector sw-itch at each of said stations, means in the loopcircuit operated by said interrupter for driving the automatic selectorswitches in synchronism, a signal device at the second stationindividual to each of the switches at the first station,I and meansresponsive upon the connection of the automatic selector switch with adesired one of the contacts thereof for causing the operation of saidsignaling device to furnish a distinctive signal.

2. A signaling system comprising a tiret and a second station, aplurality oi mechanisms at the lirst station, an automatic selectorswitch at each of said stations, a signaling device individual to eachof said mechanisms and located at the second station, apconnecting linkcircuit terminating` at each of said stations, a rotary interrupteroperative in response to the actuation of one of said mechanisms, meansresponsive to the operation of said interrupter tor driving saidautomatic selector switches in synchronism, and a relay at the secondoffice individual to each ot said mechanisms energized upon the seizureot the line associated therewith to cause said signaling device tofurnish a distinctive signal.

3. A signaling system comprising a First and a second station, aplurality of mechanisms at the first station, a signaling deviceindividual to each of said mechanisms and located at the second station,an automatic selector switch at each station, a loop7 circuit connectingthe two stations, asrelay in each end of the loop circuit forcontrolling the operation oit said automatic selector switches, meansfor intermittently operating said relays, means responsive to theconnection of the automatic selector switch at the first station with aline associated with an actuated one of 'said mechanisms, means operatedupon the operation of said second mentioned means orcausing saidsignaling device to furnish a'distinctive signal, and a relay operateddue to the restoration of the automatic selector switch at the secondoflice to normal, to momentarily open the loop circuit for preventingthe 1re-operation ot the automatic selector' switch of the secondstation.` K

4. A signaling system comprising a switching and an indicating station,a plurality of mechanisms at the switching station, an automaticselector switch at each of said stations, a signaling device individualto each of said mechanisms and located at the indicating station, aconnecting link circuit terminating at each of said stations, aperiodically rotating interrupterloperative upon the actuation of anyone of said mecha-- nlsms, a pair of relays in said link circuitoperated upon the rotation of said interrupter for driving saidautomatic selector switches in s'ynchronism, and means operative uponthe seizure of a line associated with an actuated mechanism to causesaid signaling device to furnish a distinctive signal.` y

5. A signaling system comprising a switching and an indicating station,a plurality| of mechanisms at the switching 'station, an automaticselector switch at each i of saidstations, a signaling device individualto each of said mechanisms and located at the indicating station, aconnecting link circuit terminating at'each of saidstations, aperiodically rotating interrupter having ya plurality of open and closedsegments opertive in response to the actuation of any oneofsaidmechanisms, means responsive to the operation of said interrupter'for driving said automatic selector switches in synchronism, 'andarelay at the indicating stationk individual to each of said mechanismsenergi'zed'upon the seizure of the line associated therewith'to causesaid signaling device'to furnish a distinctive signal.

n 6.v A4 signaling system comprising a switching and an indicatingstation, a plurality of mechanisms at the switching station, a signalingdevice individual to each of said mechanisms andl located at theindicatin station, a normally closed connecting lin circuit terminatingat each of said stations in a relay, an yautomatic selector switchateach of said stations, a rotary interrupter Ireleased upon the actuationof any one of said mechanisms for intermittently energizing said relays,means responsive to the operation of one of said relays to operate said`automatic selector switch at the'switchings'tation to seize a lineassociated with an actuatedone ofsaid mechanisms, means at theindicating stationresponsive to the operation of 'the relay ther-eat tooperate thisv other automatic selector `switch to seize n lineassociated with a signaling device individual to the mechanism whoseline lhas been seized, and lmeans operated upon `the seizure of saidline to operate said signaling device to furnish a distinctive signal.

7 A signaling system `comprising a switchin and an indicating station, aplurality o mechanisms at the switching station, a signaling deviceindividual to each of said mechanisms and located at the indicatingstation, an automatic selector switch at each station, a loopcircuitconnecting the two stations, a relay `in each end ot the loopcircuit for controlling the operation of said automatic selectorswitches, means for intermittently operating said relays, meansresponsive to the connection of the automatic selector ^rswitch at thefirst station with a line associated with an `actuated oneof saidmechanisms, means operated upon `the operation of said secondmentionedmeans for causing said signaling device to furnish a distinctive signal,and means operateddue to the restoration of the automatic lselectorswitch at the 'second ofiice'to normalto `momentarily open "the loopcircuit for preventing the re-operation of the-automatic selector switchat the indicating station 8. A signaling system com rising a switchingand an. indicating statiomaplurality of mechanisms at theswitching'station, a signalin device individual to said mechanisms anlocated at the indicating station, an automatic selector switch at eachstation, a loop circuit connecting the two stations, means in each endof the loop ycircuit vfor controlling the operation of said automaticselector switches, 'a periodically rotaryl interrupter forintermittently "operating said "means,`ineans responsive t'o theconnection of the automatic Aselector switch at the switching station`with aline associated with an actuatedA one of said mecha.- nisms, arelay operated upon'the operation of said second mentioned means forcausing said signaling device to furnish'a distinctive signal, and arelay operated due to therestoration ofthe automatic selector switch atthe indicating station to normal tomoi'nentarily open the loop circuityto prevent'the re-operation of the automatic selectorswitch at theindicating station.

9. A'signaling system comprising a first and asecond stationafpluralityof power switches located at the first station and provided withcontacts, a signaling'de'vice-'at the second station individual toeachof said power switches, a normally closed loop circuit connectingthetw'o stations, an automatic selector 'switch at Vthe `rst "stationhaving a plurality of groupsof lines ylea'c'ling to the contactsrepresenting 'fthe open 'and closed positions of said power switches, a

iso

Second automatic selector switch at the second station, means to operatesaid automatic selector switch at the first station to seize a line inone of said groups, means to operate the other of said automaticselector switches to seize a line associated with a signaling deviceindividual to the mechanism Whose line has been seized, and means tooperate said si naling device in a distinctive manner.

n Witness whereof We hereunto subscribe 1 our names this 17th dayofSeptember A. D.,

CHARLES W. KECKLER. WALTER B. STRICKLER.

